Scotswummin was a heritage lottery funded project which YouthLink Scotland delivered in partnership with Glasgow Women’s Library between 2016-2017. This was an opportunity for 56 young people from 5 youth groups across Scotland supported by their youth workers to conduct research in their community on women of influence who were unrecognised or had been forgotten, both past and present. The 5 youth groups included Dumfries and Galloway Council, PEEK (Glasgow), Falkirk Council, Cheviot Youth (Scottish Borders) and Penicuik and District YMCA-YWCA.

Scotswummin provided an opportunity for the young people to engage with heritage through visiting local libraries, museums, searching through archives, but also a chance to engage with their community which has seen them conducting interviews with women in fashion, business, music, horse riding, those dedicating their time to charitable work. They have organised coffee mornings at the local care homes and even a tea-dance. This project has been a real celebration of the contribution women have made to their communities. This culminated in an exhibition at Glasgow Women’s Library.

As part of Scotswummin, we also produced a report about youth work’s contribution to the women’s movement since 1850. This report was produced with the help of a steering group made up of academics, representatives from the youth work sector and voluntary sector and young people.

Watch a short video below to hear more about the research

Inspiring Young Women in Falkirk

A short film created by the youth group from Falkirk which showcases the exhibition they created. Emma-Louise Petrie, 16, describes how she wants to encourage young women to achieve their goals.